Bob Dold

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Grayslake Central's boys cross country team on their first place finish at the 2A state championship. This victory marks the first time in the school's history that the boys cross country team has won state. Consistently strong all year, the Rams won conference, regional, and sectional championships. This hard work culminated at the state championship, where, led by Coach Jimmy Cantella, six out of seven runners achieved their personal best time. Junior Jack Aho won the race with a time of 14:25, followed by junior Matt Aho in seventh place. Other all-state athletes include senior John Girmscheid who came in twenty third and sophomore Eli Minsky who rounded out the top twenty five. The final three competitors who helped Grayslake cinch the tide were seniors Jack Battaglia who came in twenty sixth, Danny Vincent at fifty first, and Alden Aaberg at one hundred and eighth. Mr. Speaker, the Grayslake Central boys cross country team is an inspiration to the school and community, and I am proud to recognize these young men for demonstrating the power of teamwork and perseverance.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eleanor L. Magera on her 100th birthday. Eleanor has lived in Lake Villa Township for many years, spending the last 12 years at Cedar Village in Lake Villa. Maintaining a youthful persona, Eleanor is known for her positive and independent attitude, positively influencing everyone who has the pleasure of making her acquaintance. Eleanor was born in Beachwood, Michigan on November 15, 1915. One of 11 children, Eleanor would go on to have her own big family with her husband of 60 years, Richard ``Dick'' Magera, who passed away in May of 2000. Together they had two children, Martin and Dorothy, six grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild. Eleanor remains active not only by walking the floors of Cedar Village on a daily basis, but by leading a group exercise class three days a week. She also keeps her mind sharp through her love of board games, even earning the title of the ``Queen of Scrabble.'' Mr. Speaker, Eleanor L. Magera is a neighbor and friend to all those who reside in Lake Villa Township, and I am proud to recognize her for the continued service and inspiration she brings to the community.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Michael Fitzgerald of Finer Foods. Since 1934, Finer Foods and the Fitzgerald family have put food on tables of Chicagoland's restaurants, grocery stores and cafeterias. Finer Foods is truly one of Chicago's iconic family businesses. For the last five years, Michael and Finer Foods have graciously donated and delivered turkeys and Thanksgiving fixings for families in North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion, Illinois. I have personally witnessed how this generosity has impacted the lives of people suffering temporary economic hardship during the Thanksgiving season. On behalf of the people of the 10th Congressional and the hundreds of families who enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner, I want to offer our sincere and heartfelt thank you.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an issue that we don't talk about nearly enough. Our country's imperfect criminal justice system is affecting not only the people in my district but also communities all across our Nation. Every year the Federal Government spends more than a half trillion dollars on anti-poverty programs. The numbers show that these initiatives have not solved the problem. Today there are nearly 50 million Americans living in poverty. Over the last decade, the number of Americans living in our Nation's most impoverished communities-- where at least 40 percent of the families live below the poverty line-- has nearly doubled to a historic high of 14 million. Meanwhile, the United States prison and jail population has reached an all-time high, and the number of people on probation and parole has literally doubled. This is not a coincidence, but the numbers don't even begin to tell the real story. Solving this problem requires meaningful action and change--two things I would argue that Washington does not do so well. But rather than sitting idly by and waiting for Washington to get its act together, I have already begun taking action back home in Illinois' 10th Congressional District. I have worked with community-level programs that have helped give people the tools that they need to be able to lift themselves out of poverty, brought in national leaders to tour our social service organizations across our district, and learned about the unique ways that these organizations are fighting poverty and working for criminal justice reform on the local level. Recently I had the privilege to introduce Bob Woodson to a few of the inspiring local leaders who are working on these issues. The more time that I spend talking with various community leaders, the more painfully obviously the need to implement reforms to this system becomes. One of the inspiring local groups working to fix some of the problems in our district is FIST. It stands for Former Inmates Striving Together in Waukegan. FIST works with the community to help individuals that are reentering society get what they need to reenter the workforce. It is no secret, Mr. Speaker, that most ex-convicts, sadly, end up back in prison after serving jail time. This organization, as well as others, is trying to change that trend by sharing positive stories and offering a judgment-free zone for individuals to get back up on their feet. Far too often, Mr. Speaker, the success stories that these organizations have do not get told, and, in fact, are kept a secret. Bob Woodson said, ``People are motivated to change and improve when they are shown victories that are possible, not injuries to be avoided.'' One inspiring young man we had the privilege to meet was Darrell McBride from Waukegan. He took the time to tell us about the journey that he took to get to where he is today, and that story bears repeating. Darrell spent 8 years in prison, which left him with limited resources and educational opportunities. He knew that he needed a job and direction after he was released, or the statistics would suggest that he would find himself back in prison. He turned to YouthBuild Lake County, and since graduating from the program, he has earned a construction certificate and, most importantly, has landed a job. Mr. Speaker, it is this kind of help that we should be encouraging all to begin to promote within our communities. Thousands like Darrell would benefit greatly from criminal justice reform. While I know that this situation cannot simply be fixed in Washington, I certainly hope that we can help. One way in which I am trying to help is by cosponsoring and working for the passage of the Fair Chance Act introduced by my friend from Maryland, Representative Elijah Cummings. This legislation would ``ban the box'' for Federal agencies, prohibiting them from asking prospective government employees about their criminal justice histories on job applications. Potential employees should not use criminal history to screen out applicants before they have a chance to look at their qualifications. This policy would enable almost 20 million people to have a second chance and the opportunity to sell themselves to potential employers and make a positive contribution to our country. Mr. Speaker, we need to deal with what leads people to end up in prison to begin with. We can do this by implementing positive strategies and innovations such as the use of body cameras for police officers to fight crime and to improve transparency and accountability. Put simply, we need to end the era of mass incarceration, and this means reforming the mandatory minimum sentencing, among other policies. Mr. Speaker, I hope that going forward we can work with groups to promote the success stories to help to empower individuals trying to turn their lives around and to work with local communities to reduce the rate of incarceration. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go until this problem is solved, but I would like to thank organizations like FIST and YouthBuild for the great work that they are doing in Illinois' 10th Congressional District.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the Diabetes Caucus to recognize November as Diabetes Awareness Month. Approximately 29 million Americans suffer from diabetes. This disease is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. It is critically important that we help educate people to understand their risk factors and that we educate people on how to prevent the disease by living healthier lives. Although there are many treatments for diabetes, there is no cure. I was proud to help introduce the 21st Century Cures Act, which provides critical funding to the National Institutes of Health so that they can continue their innovative research into diabetes and other diseases. Mr. Speaker, we spend $330 billion each and every year treating diabetes. We need to find a cure. I am also proud to be a cosponsor of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which will help seniors manage obesity, one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and advocates across the country to continue helping patients fight this disease.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because 75 years ago this week, the Nazis were sweeping through Europe with frightening ease. This was the backdrop on the early morning of October 28, 1940, when the Axis forces requested a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas. The Axis' agenda for the meeting was a short one. They came with only one simple demand: Greece must unconditionally surrender and allow the Axis forces unfettered use of strategic military sites or the Greek people would face war. The Axis forces clearly underestimated the resolve of the Greeks. Prime Minister Metaxas shocked the Axis powers by giving his now famous one-word answer: ``Oxi.'' While others in Europe were choosing to stay out of the conflict in hopes that they would be spared, the Greeks willingly inserted themselves into the fray, costing hundreds of thousands of Greek lives, but saving millions by continually stifling the Axis forces. Greece's refusal saved countless lives as Greek forces fought heroically; but Greece paid a terrible price as well, losing practically an entire generation of men and women. As we remember Oxi Day and the bravery of the Greek people, let us also remember the millions of Greeks who perished so that Hitler might be stopped.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This disease has touched everyone in some way, and we must do all we can to fight it. An astonishing one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. This is one of the many reasons that I supported increased funding for the National Institutes of Health. American scientists and researchers are the best in the world, but they do need our support to put an end to this disease once and for all. I am also proud to be the lead Republican sponsor of H.R. 1925, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Ernie Bodai, the creator of the breast cancer research stamp. Since its introduction in 1998, the stamp has been an effective tool for increasing awareness and has raised over $80 million to support the cause. This month, please take a moment to join me in remembering those who lost the battle to breast cancer, while celebrating survivors, those currently fighting the disease, and all of those helping women live longer, healthier lives.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fincher), my good friend, for his leadership on this bill. Coming from Illinois' 10th Congressional District, we are the fourth largest manufacturing district in the Nation. The Export-Import Bank is a bank that does finance many small businesses. In fact, 86 percent of the loans that happen in Illinois' 10th Congressional District in the Export-Import Bank go to small businesses. Yes, Boeing does utilize the Export-Import Bank, and they say, whenever a Boeing plane lands, 19,000 small businesses land with them. There is no question that we talk about jobs and the economy. I hear it constantly. I know my colleagues do all across this body because I have had the opportunity to talk to them. They are talking to their constituents. It is still about jobs and the economy and the uncertainty that is out there. I had a conversation with a small-business owner who said, ``You know what? I can't go to my local community bank and get financing for a tractor that I want to send over to France or Germany.'' Consequently, if we don't reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, they are going to take those jobs and they are going to move them overseas. That is the last thing in the world we want, Mr. Speaker. We want to talk about good, high-paying jobs right here at home. We want to talk about manufacturers that have the ability to be able to create products right here at home, create more jobs right here at home, and send those products all over the world. The Export-Import Bank allows us to do that. We need to level the playing field and not unilaterally disarm. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Export-Import Bank and ``yes'' to American jobs.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I recently sat down with several small business owners in my district for a roundtable discussion in Lincolnshire, Illinois. The roundtable discussion focused attention on the Health Insurance Tax on small businesses. These local business owners are extremely concerned about the consequences of a $500 per employee per year insurance expense they will have to incur. One business owner at the roundtable, Rick, reiterated that politicians in Washington need to understand that each new tax or expense isn't just some exercise in congressional budget scorekeeping-- these are a real-world burdens that harm businesses and make it difficult to keep the doors open and workers employed. This business owner wasn't talking about it as an abstract economic theory; rather, he was worried that his business cannot handle the influx of new expenses. Rick asked me to make sure that leaders in Washington are fighting for Main Streets across the nation. Rick is right. As a small business owner myself, I believe that we need to continue to remind Members of Congress that small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and that we need to encourage a healthy environment that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. According to research by the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, the Health Insurance Tax, also known as the HIT, will jeopardize between 152,000 and 286,000 private-sector jobs across the U.S. by 2023. The harmful and misguided Health Insurance Tax will add a new strain to small businesses on Main Street. Illinois is home to more than 1.1 million small businesses, which employ more than 2.3 million workers. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 928 and why I encourage my colleagues in the House on both sides of the aisle to do the same.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the International Day of the Girl and the Girl Up movement. Their mission is to raise awareness to the neglect and devaluation of girls around the world and to advance girls' lives and opportunities. Mr. Speaker, in the Aw-Barre refugee camp in Ethiopia, girls under the age of 18 comprise about 30 percent of the population. However, due to the lack of resources, many families of the Aw-Barre have stopped educating their girls. This leaves young women more vulnerable to be victims of sexual violence and significantly limits their lives and opportunities. Girl Up, a local campaign in Illinois' Tenth Congressional District, is working to combat global crisis like the Aw-Barre refugee camp. Young women, like Celia Buckman of Glenview, are working with their high schools to provide resources like school uniforms, backpacks, and safe spaces to help young women succeed. I am proud to work with Girl Up and recognize the International Day of the Girl to bring awareness to the complex challenges facing young women around the globe.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Captain Jules Traut, of Libertyville, Illinois, for his service to our country and unwavering support for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Captain Traut currently serves as a member of the 10th Congressional District Military Academy Nominations Committee. This year marks the 54th year that Jules Traut has served as an Admissions Liaison responsible for interviewing and nominating students for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. As a Liaison Officer, Captain Traut has met with hundreds of students and continues to demonstrate his dedication to helping young men and women achieve their goals of receiving an education from the Academy. Captain Traut also volunteers his services as Chief Engineering Officer with the Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago where he helps maintain and restore their signature 386-foot ship and club headquarters, the Abegweit. I am grateful to Captain Traut for his contributions to our community and his selfless service to others.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Violence against women is not a partisan problem. It is an American problem. So it demands a bipartisan solution. As a father, son, and husband, to me, this issue is about protecting families, plain and simple. Unfortunately, debate in Washington is often dominated by the same tired politics, divisive rhetoric, and by the misguided notion that some issues are just too tough to take on. We can't allow this gridlock to stop us from working to ensure that every woman feels safe and every child lives free from fear. That is why I helped introduce the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act. This bill is a commonsense solution to bring Federal law in line with over 30 States that already have protections in place to keep guns out of the hands of abusers, to protect families, and to curb domestic abuse by preventing domestic violence from becoming domestic murder. Together, we can make our country safer, which is why I encourage my colleagues to join me on this important legislation, supporting safety and security for all Americans.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on its 5-year anniversary. The Lovell Federal Health Center is the Nation's first and only integrated Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense medical center. In just 5 years, the Center has demonstrated the merits of combining two different healthcare systems. Through hard work and dedication, the Lovell staff has shown that one healthcare facility can annually provide excellent care to over 90,000 military personnel, their families, military retirees, and veterans. I would like to personally congratulate Director Stephan Holt and Deputy Director Navy Captain Bob Buckley. Their vision and enthusiasm facilitated the integration tremendously. I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries of the Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and I would like to again congratulate and thank them for their hard work on behalf of our veterans and military personnel.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. I thank my good friend from California, the chairman, for yielding me the time. I also want to thank my good friend from Pennsylvania for bringing this piece of legislation. Supporting victims of Iranian terrorism is a cause that every single Member of this body should be able to support, regardless of where they stand on the Iranian nuclear agreement. Under no circumstances should we be ignoring the victims of Iran's terrorism while simultaneously rewarding the greatest state sponsor of terror the world has seen. Make no mistake, under this administration's agreement with Iran, Iran will be receiving approximately $150 billion in sanctions relief-- in new funding--almost immediately, while American victims of Iranian terrorism, whether it be bombings, kidnappings, murder, and the like, are basically going without resources. Where are our priorities? Where are our priorities in this Chamber when the victims of Iranian terror are being ignored while Iran is being rewarded with new funds that will inevitably be used to fund new terror--Hezbollah, Hamas, and those around the globe? Iran's terror proxies have killed Americans and continue to do so to this day. This is a fact that cannot be ignored. I certainly hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this piece of legislation.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, the nation's first and only integrated Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense medical center, on its five-year anniversary. In just five years, the Center demonstrated the merits of combining two different health care systems. Through hard work and dedication, the FHCC staff has shown that one health care facility can annually provide excellent care to over 90,000 military personnel, their families, military retirees and Veterans. I would like to personally congratulate Director Dr. Stephan Holt, and Deputy Director Navy Captain Bob Buckley. Their vision and enthusiasm facilitated the integration tremendously. I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries of the Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month. This month is especially important to think about what needs to be done to help our at-risk veterans. From 1990 to 2010, a veteran committed suicide almost every hour of every day. This is completely unacceptable and signifies a clear need for action to prevent suicide and to treat those who are suffering. Veterans have risked their lives and sacrificed tremendously for our Nation. But the disturbing reality is that far too many of our veterans who fought for our freedom are not free when they return. They are trapped in their own minds. We cannot afford to be bystanders any longer. Mr. Speaker, it is past time we stand by our veterans and everyone else who is suffering. It is incumbent upon all of us to reach out to those who may need help and erase the stigma surrounding mental illness. Together, with an increased focus on the very real, invisible wounds of war, we can better serve our returning heroes.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Citizenship Day, observed yesterday, September 17, to recognize all who have become citizens of our great Nation. The 10th Congressional District in Illinois is a place where thousands of immigrants have started and grown their businesses, raised their families, and achieved the American Dream. Madam Speaker, I believe America is a place where goals can be accomplished and the doors of opportunity are always open for those who work hard. Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending a Naturalization Oath Ceremony for some very good friends, the Jeannin family in Chicago. It was a ceremony in Judge Sam Der-Yeghiayan's chambers, and Christophe, Natalie, Audrey, and Alex all raised their right hand to swear allegiance to the United States of America. Madam Speaker, Christophe came to the United States with his family in the late seventies. His mother and father--Gerard and Madeline--and his sisters--Dominique, Sophie, and Ann--were all here and were contributing members of our community. They have all since left, but Christophe has remained. Madam Speaker, the Jeannin family is just one example of immigrants who have made a tremendous impact in our community. We are stronger and a more diverse community because of immigrants that call our Nation home. I want to congratulate Christophe, Natalie, Audrey, Alex, and all of the citizens this week that have become United States citizens. Congratulations.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain for being designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. As the 38th Ramsar Wetland in the United States, this designation recognizes the Lake Plain for its globally significant contribution to biodiversity and importance to human health and economy. Mr. Speaker, wetlands are among the Earth's most diverse and productive ecosystems, providing flood control, food, and freshwater. The Lake Plain protects diverse natural communities, including globally rare wetlands, while still being open to the public. This gives our community the chance to experience and enjoy nature, while learning about biodiversity and how to conserve our natural resources. I specifically want to congratulate the many groups that made this conservation effort possible, including the Lake County Forest Preserve District, the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This honor is only the beginning for the Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain. I look forward to seeing what else they will accomplish in the future.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. This is not about partisanship. Please hear me. We don't want to bring up 9/11 in the sense that we want to do it on this day, 9/11. But I do think that it does smack of the idea that we never want to see that dirty bomb that comes into a container ship, that goes into New York, Miami, or Washington, D.C. Because you know what? No one wants to relive what happened on that day 14 years ago. Yet, if we do not step up in a united front and stop this, my fear is that we will relive that day again. That, for me, is unacceptable. I implore you all, my colleagues, my friends, to stand up against this awful historic mistake.

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I have had an opportunity to listen to the debate. Some of the things that are going on, yes, they are heated. But as we look at this historic agreement--my good friend from New York just asked: Will you stand with your President? I have stood with the President before. I think it is also important that we take a look at this agreement. This is a historic mistake. This is one that will jeopardize the safety and security of the United States. And I want to echo that this is a bipartisan opposition. So this is not about left versus right. This is about right versus wrong. Ultimately, when I tuck my children in bed at night, a 13-year-old, an 11-year-old and an 8-year-old, and I look into the faces of those that are here, these young Americans, and I wonder what type of country they will inherit with a nuclear-armed Iran, for me, that is unacceptable. Our stated objectives, our goals, were to make sure that Iran never has the ability to achieve a nuclear weapon. And, yet, this agreement, according to Bob Menendez, all but preserves it, a nuclear-armed Iran, one that shouts ``death to America.'' They want to wipe Israel off the face of the map. In this agreement, the ballistic missile embargo is lifted in 8 years, an arms embargo in 5 years. My friends, what do you use a ballistic missile for? I would argue it is not to drop leaflets. It is not for humanitarian purposes. It is to have a reign of terror in the United States of America. For me, that is completely unacceptable. Again, I don't care where you come from, what district you are in, this is about will we be safer. And the answer is simply no. I believe that this agreement ultimately will be an arms race in the Middle East. We have talked about France. We have talked about the U.K. We have talked about Germany. Has anybody asked the neighborhood? Has anybody asked Saudi Arabia or the UAE or Egypt or Israel? The answer is no because they are uniformly against this because they know Iran's ultimate goal is to not only devastate that region, but to devastate the United States of America. This is one of the things that, again, must unite us. This is not about partisanship.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to just associate myself with the comments of my good friend from Kentucky, who was just up here and I think eloquently was giving a case as to why this deal with Iran is such a bad deal. Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that the national security consequences of the nuclear agreement with Iran will haunt America for generations if Congress does not step in to stop it. This shouldn't be about party. It should not be about loyalty to the President because, if one thinks about this current President, whether you like him or don't like him, whether you agree with him or don't agree with him, this administration ends in 15 months, but the national security consequences of this deal will go on and haunt America for generations to come. This deal, this agreement, needs to be evaluated on the substance and how it will impact America and will it make America safer. Mr. Speaker, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Americans and a bipartisan majority of this Congress are against this agreement. It makes America less safe. If it survives, it is only because the President was able to ram it through on a wholly partisan basis. That is not something to celebrate, Mr. Speaker. The fact that there is zero bipartisan support for this pact in the United States Congress further demonstrates just how dangerous this is for our Nation. Mr. Speaker, in my very first speech on the floor of this House in 2011, I stated my belief that Iran was the greatest national security threat that we had. Today, I am even more committed that Iran is the greatest threat that we have to our own national security. By proving that aggression and defiance will be rewarded, this agreement makes the world less safe and, tragically, war more likely. What are we saying to our neighbors? If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, surely its neighbors will go on a nuclear arms race as well and will make this dangerous part of the world even less safe than it already is, far more volatile. These concerns have been bipartisan. According to Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, this agreement doesn't end Iran's nuclear program, it preserves it. According to Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer: ``If Iran's true intent is to get a nuclear weapon, under this agreement, it must simply exercise patience.'' Simply put, this agreement won't block Iran's path to a nuclear weapon. Instead, it leaves Iran's nuclear infrastructure intact and amounts to a containment strategy. Settling for only containing a nuclear Iran is a grave mistake that leaves the long-term safety of the United States and our allies vulnerable to nuclear blackmail by Iran. We are all familiar with the basic reasons for why this reckless agreement should be opposed. The agreement relies on a sure-to-fail inspections regime that falls well short of anytime, anywhere inspections that are so critically needed. It fails to deliver on the commitment to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Iran actually receives a signing bonus that trades permanent sanctions relief for temporary limitations on its nuclear program. This will provide Iran, the world's greatest state sponsor of terror--and that is not up for debate; that is not disputed--with $150 billion, which they will no doubt use to fund terror through their proxies in Hezbollah and Hamas, through Assad in Syria, and through cells in South and Central America--sunset provisions, which simply gives Iran a patient path to a nuclear weapon. This agreement lifts conventional arms embargo in 5 years and ballistic missile embargo in 8 years. Why were these even on the table, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, I ask you: What do you use an intercontinental ballistic missile for? It is not to drop leaflets; it is not for humanitarian needs. It is to deliver a nuclear warhead to Washington, to New York, to Chicago. I am perplexed because, Mr. Speaker, like many here in this body, I have three children, and they have children. We have constituents that are out there. I have a 13-year-old, an 11-year-old, and an 8-year-old. By the time my 8-year-old goes to college, she will not know a world without Iran having a nuclear weapon. The chants of ``death to America'' in the streets, at some point in time, we have to take their word that that is exactly what they want to do. When we look at this agreement, this legitimizes Iran's nuclear program and provides Iran's illicit nuclear pursuit with international stamps of approval. This is what Iran has been desperately seeking; yet we have just handed it to them on a platter. Let's remember, when the negotiations began, Iran was an isolated nation. Their economy was in ruins; they were under heavy sanctions and were outside the international community, but this process has ended with the administration isolating and hammering Israel and the administration coercing Congress to accept a deal by asserting that the United States would otherwise be blamed for it falling apart. On August 5, the President gave a speech to promote the Iran agreement, and he delivered the following line, which had its intended effect of isolating Israel and minimizing her concerns. Because this is such a strong deal, he said, every other nation in the world has commented publicly, with the exception of the Israeli Government, that they have expressed their support. I understand my time has expired, Mr. Speaker, but I do want to just note again that a nuclear-armed Iran is the greatest threat we have to our own national security going forward, and giving the international stamp of approval to them will make the world a less safe place and jeopardize the United States of America, our citizens, and our allies abroad.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to recognize Jackie Borchew for her tireless efforts and dedication to Orphans of the Storm, an animal shelter in Riverwoods, Illinois. In her many years of service, she has helped find countless permanent homes for abandoned dogs and cats. Jackie's years of enthusiastic service to Orphans of the Storm has most assuredly contributed to raising awareness of the shelter and the good work they do to benefit the animal community. Jackie has helped Orphans pursue their mission of saving, caring for and adopting out dogs and cats into loving permanent homes. Through off-site adoption events and other countless volunteer efforts, Jackie has been essential to establishing Orphans as a staple for the animal community throughout the region. There will most certainly be a hole left behind as Jackie leaves Orphans to embark on her next endeavor. Although she will be missed, all of her efforts have created a strong foundation for the shelter to continue to place abandoned pets into loving homes. I feel personally privileged to have Jackie as a member of our community, and I look forward to seeing what the next stage of her life brings.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because it is past time we call human trafficking what it really is: modern-day slavery. Every year, up to 300,000 children are at risk of being sex- trafficked here in our country. On average, these children are first sold into sex slavery before their 13th birthday. As a father, I can't fathom anything more disgusting. Earlier this year, I supported legislation that we successfully passed aimed at stopping sex trafficking, but the fight is far from over. Human trafficking generates $9.5 billion worldwide each and every year, and the criminals that profit off of sex trafficking aren't going to give in that easily. For example, right now in my district, backpage.com, a disgusting Web site that facilitates online sex trafficking, is suing Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart because he stood up to the evil and corrupt people who profit off of the exploitation of minors. It is our collective obligation to do everything that we can to put a definitive end to this atrocity. I commend Sheriff Dart for standing up for what is right, and I pledge to work with my colleagues here in this House, on both sides of the aisle, to stop this abhorrent crime.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act. I rise to thank the members of the Lake County Board for issuing a resolution designating July 26, 2015, as Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Day. The Americans with Disabilities Act was in response to an appalling problem, widespread discrimination against people with disabilities. Over the past 25 years, the ADA has had a profound impact across our country, requiring accessibility and banning discrimination all across America. In Lake County, we are fortunate to have many great organizations that provide resources to people with disabilities and their families. I particularly want to recognize the Lake County Center for Independent Living, an organization that provides free life skills training, employment training, and advocacy services to disabled individuals in our community. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the Lake County Board to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act, and I remain committed to working for policies that prohibit discrimination of all kinds.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of the Jordan Michael Filler Foundation in their fight against an unseen killer: addiction. One person dies every 3 days in the Chicago suburbs because of a heroin overdose. Jordan Filler was 23 when his addiction to heroin tragically took his life. His family started the Jordan Michael Filler Foundation in his honor to help others combat addiction. The foundation works tirelessly to provide vital education to children and their families on addiction. Mr. Speaker, heroin is an epidemic in our community, and unfortunately, there is no silver bullet to end drug abuse. As the co- chair of the Illinois Suburban Anti-Heroin Task Force, I am committed to working with local organizations like the Jordan Michael Filler Foundation to prevent drug overdose. There are no easy solutions to the drug abuse epidemic, but I am committed to putting in the hard work required to make progress alongside our many community partners. I offer my sincerest thanks to the Jordan Michael Filler Foundation and other community organizations for their lifesaving work.